[southbysouthwest]

OK a ? for all you Vickers guys here. On the Vickers do some of the original RHSP have the same type of "lightening" cuts one finds on the LHSPs?
I was looking thru pics and see them on an early model...

But I also see others without them. What I do not know is what the LHSP looks like on this. Is it flat like the RHSP or do all LHSP have the cuts in them?

I am just trying to match up the correct RHSP profile for a Vickers 1942 parts kit with that has a LHSP with the cuts.

 

[RHW1225]

The lightening cuts on the right sideplate were discontinued during WW1 to speed production.

The corrugated water jacket was replaced with the smooth jacket around 1918 to increase durability. The flat muzzle "booster" was replaced with the cone shaped one around the same time.

 

[762x51]

The Left side plates retained the lightning cuts throughout production.
Here is a rendering of the Pre-1916 Vickers and Colt Vickers RSP above the later style plate.

Southbysouthwest - Does your kit have a smooth or corrugated water jacket?

Orin

 

[OldSoldier]

Two things to possibly contribute here. It’s my understanding from Dolf’s book that the lightening cuts were discontinued on the right side plate to strengthen the plate. It seems that the pounding of the crank was too much for the lightened plate. Also, if you have a corregated water jacket gun it is of Brit manufacture and the check-level holes on the Brit Vickers are located differently than the check-level holes on the Aussie Vickers.

 

[southbysouthwest]

The Left side plates retained the lightning cuts throughout production.
Here is a rendering of the Pre-1916 Vickers and Colt Vickers RSP above the later style plate.

Southbysouthwest - Does your kit have a smooth or corrugated water jacket?

Orin

Smooth jacket on my kit. Some parts marked 42 that I took to be the year stamp.

 

[762x51]

Southbysouthwest - I suspect that you have an Australian Vickers - If most of your parts have a small "MA" stamped into them then it's an Australian.

Orin

 

[southbysouthwest]

Thanks guys for the feedback on the plates and yes I do have an excellant condition Aussie gun.

Now I have another question, is there any source for barrels chambered in anything other than .303 out there that will fit these Aussie guns? I see IMA have 8mm feedblocks separate. I would be interested in anything that uses the typical rounds (762x54, 8mm, .30-06, ?) that we feed the 1919s with.

Maybe we will have to get John to do a run on Vickers barrels if enough guys want them

 

[DRH]

Mike, I had my barrels reamed to accept 7.62X54R. The feed block also required slight modifications. I intend to use maxim belts to feed the gun.

 

[southbysouthwest]

Mike, I had my barrels reamed to accept 7.62X54R. The feed block also required slight modifications. I intend to use maxim belts to feed the gun.

I was looking at this last night and going over the two case dimensions.

Do you know anyone that has done this modification and shot rounds with this approach? I was wondering how the shorter cases worked out in the long .303 chamber. Especially around the shoulder area, ie do the cases split out here? or just balloon up to the chamber/shoulder?

I'm not worried about destroying the brass, just thinking about stoppages and such.

 

[DRH]

I have not assembled mine yet but Sherman can give you the details. I am told the cases bulge out to form a very unusual looking fire formed casing.

 

[ironcreations]

I have a vickers that Sherman rechambered for 7.62x54. It does buldge the cases, but it has run flawlessly. I use the maxim belts in mine. it will fire 250 rounds in a row without any problems. There is a modification, to the feed guide, the bolt, and firing pin. The firing pin has to be made so it is longer to strike the primer. For the price of ammo, 54 vs 303, I would recomend doing the conversion. Get up with Sherman, he can do what it needs I'm sure.